PIIAI Announces 2003 Event Schedule

(Springfield, IL) January 13, 2003. The Professional Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois (PIIAI) announces the following events for the 2003 association year:

Tuesday, March 18
Insurance Industry Legislative Day

The PIIAI, in conjunction with the Illinois Insurance Association (IIA), the Illinois Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (IAIFA), and the Illinois State Association of Health Underwriters (ISAHU), annually brings together insurance industry representatives to hear from and present positions to state legislators and constitutional officers. The 2003 event will be held on Tuesday, March 18 in Springfield, Ill. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For additional information on Insurance Industry Legislative Day, visit www.piiai.org/government, or contact Penny Driscoll, Government Relations Assistant, at (800) 628-6436, or pdriscoll@piiai.org.

Wednesday, March 26
Multicultural Seminar

To help position urban and minority-owned agencies for company appointments and ultimate success while also aligning insurance companies with greater business opportunities in emerging urban markets, PIIAI will present a multicultural seminar in Lombard, Ill., on March 26. The purpose of this event is to present a program to help minority and urban agents boost their business, increase their sales, and strengthen their careers. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, contact Mike Tate, Chief Operating Officer, at (800) 628-6436 or mtate@piiai.org.

June 19-21
Young Agents Regional Conference

Plans are underway for a multi-state Young Agents Conference to be held June 19-21 at the Kalahari Resort in the Wisconsin Dells. IIA of Wisconsin, the host association, is currently working with the Illinois committee to secure speakers and sponsors. While the conference will feature a full agenda with continuing education sessions, activities will also be offered for spouses and children as well as all-inclusive family-oriented social events. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact Laura Richter, Vice President of Communications, at (800) 628-6436 or lrichter@piiai.org.

July 22-23
IIAJC State Golf Tournament

The Independent Insurance Agent Junior Classic (IIAJC) is sponsored by the Professional Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois (PIIAI), and will be held July 22-23 in Pekin, Ill. Youths through age 18 are eligible to participate in the tournament, which is the state qualifier for the IIAJC National Tournament August 11-15, in Columbus, NJ. For more details on the state qualifying tournaments, contact Sandy Cuffle, Executive Assistant, at (800) 628-6436 or scuffle@piiai.org.

October 8-10
PIIAI State Convention

The PIIAI will host its Annual Convention October 8-10 at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield, Ill. The 2½-day "October Showcase" features continuing education classes and one of the industry's largest trade shows. The event officially kicks off on Wednesday morning with the association's annual meeting breakfast and education sessions. In addition to the many education sessions and the opportunity to earn up to 15 hours of CE, the convention will include award presentations, networking opportunities and entertainment. In addition, a special Agent-Company Golf Outing will be held on October 7. Exhibit, sponsorship and advertising opportunities are available. For more information, visit www.piiai.org/convention or contact Sandy Cuffle at (800) 628-6436 or scuffle@piiai.org.

The PIIAI also hosts a variety of education classes and seminars. For more information on these events, visit www.piiai.org/education, or contact Shannon Ballog, Education Assistant, at (800) 628-6436 or sballog@piiai.org.

The Professional Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois is an association representing independent insurance agents throughout the state. PIIAI membership is comprised of 1,500 insurance agencies representing 12,000 licensed independent agents engaged in all facets of the insurance industry, including property, casualty, life and health. Its members are businesses that offer customers a choice of policies from a variety of insurance companies. In addition to serving the professional needs of members, PIIAI works for the betterment of the insurance industry through legislative and consumer awareness programs. The PIIAI is headquartered in Springfield, Illinois. Visit PIIAI's consumer website at www.ChooseIndependent.com or agent website at www.piiai.org.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
January 13, 2003 Jennifer May, PIIAI Industry Affairs Coordinator
(217) 793-6660 or jmay@piiai.org